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DAVID DEFEATED AMMON IN A NEW CONFLICT
MONDAY, AUGUST 3
2 Samuel 10

Proverbs 26:17-28

 

“As coals are to burning coals,
and wood to fire; so is a

contentious man to kindle strife.”

 

DAVID DEFEATED AMMON IN A NEW CONFLICT
 
David reigned and defended his nation. He used the friendly approach when appropriate and resorted to armed conflict when the need arose. This was part of his duty as a king. In the text, David offered friendship to the new king of Ammon, but his response was an insult to David. This led to a war of combined forces between Syria and Ammon against Israel. David’s army prevailed, and once again, he showed his strength in warfare. He used these victories to build peace in Israel. They demonstrated God’s hand which was upon him.
 
Nahash the king of Ammon died. He was a friend of David and also a neighbour. They had co-existed together in peace and exchanged diplomatic gestures. Hanun, his son, became king in place of his father. It was natural for David to send a delegation to comfort the family and the nation. He also wished to continue the friendly relationship they had with the late king. David demonstrated what the Apostle Paul later expressed that we ought to live peaceably with all men, as much as it is in our power (Rom 12:18). He wanted a continued peace with his neighbour. He said that he would show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash.
 
A delegation of David’s servants went to the land of Ammon. The new king had no experience in matters of sustaining peace with a neighbour. His new advisors had a different opinion of David’s gesture. They insinuated to their new king Hanun that David did not truly seek to honour his father when he sent a delegation to comfort him. They accused the servants of David as being spies who were seeking to overthrow their land. This led to the failure of sustaining their diplomacy and resulted in negative fruits.
 
THOUGHT: A wise person does not lack alternatives in conflicts.

PRAYER: Father, always show me the right move in conflicts.

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